Session 4

Response (Mark 6:33-34)

33 but many saw them leaving and recognized them,
and they ran on foot from all the towns
and arrived ahead of them.
34 When he went ashore, he saw a large crowd
and had compassion on them,
because they were like sheep without a shepherd.
Then he began to teach them many things.

Reflect:

• What words and images did Mark use to describe Jesus’s response to the crowd?
• What does this say about Jesus and His feelings about the crowd?

Explain:

while other Gospel writers mentioned healing,
Mark focused on Jesus’s teaching.

The fact that people had gone to great lengths to get to Jesus and stayed to listen
reveals how His teaching was just as compelling as His ability to heal.

Ask:

• What draws a person to the teachings of Jesus? (p. 39)

Transition:

While preaching about the kingdom was Jesus’s primary mission,
He understood that hurting and hungry people might not be as receptive to the gospel.

Along with focusing on their spiritual needs, Jesus refused
to ignore their physical needs.